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Mobile Crane Finance

Mobile cranes typically cost £180,000 to £1,500,000; most UK plant hire and construction firms finance them through HP or lease rather than tying up working capital.

Can you finance a mobile crane?

Yes, mobile cranes are financed as a standard asset purchase, usually on hire purchase or a lease, with the machine itself acting as the security. UK prices typically run £180,000 to £1,500,000, and most deals are written over 36–84 months with a deposit of around 15–20%. Decisions typically take 3–5 working days. Used machines are financeable too, usually with a shorter term.

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Typical Cost

£180k – £1500k

Approval Speed

3–5 working days

Full underwriting for higher-value units

Rates From

5.4% APR

What would a mobile crane cost per month?

£420,000
10%
60 months
9%
£0

Your estimate

Indicative only. Not a quote and not an offer of finance.

Pre-filled with a typical mobile crane price. Indicative only, not a quote.

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Finance options

Hire Purchase (HP)

Rate
From 5.8% APR
Term
36–84 months
Deposit
15–20%
Ownership
Yours at the end
Best for
Plant hire and contracting firms wanting to own the crane outright

Finance Lease

Rate
From 5.4% APR
Term
36–84 months
Deposit
None required
Ownership
Return or buy (balloon payment)
Best for
Tax-efficient; claim 100% of payments against profit

Operating Lease

Rate
From 6.2% APR
Term
36–60 months
Deposit
None required
Ownership
Return at end
Best for
Businesses wanting to renew capacity as fleet demands change. Off balance sheet.

Representative example

On a purchase price of £420,000: a 10% deposit of £42,000, then 48 monthly payments of £8,860 at 5.9% APR representative (fixed). Total amount payable £467,280, including the deposit. The rate you are offered depends on your business and the asset.

What buyers actually specify

Guide prices for sizing a finance agreement, not quotes. Manufacturers in this market mostly price on application, so where a current UK list price could not be confirmed the row describes a specification class rather than naming a model. Your supplier quote is what the agreement is written against.

Machine or specification Guide price Type
Compact all-terrain mobile crane, 30–60 tonne class £180,000 – £420,000 Compact All-Terrain Crane
Mid-range all-terrain mobile crane, 60–100 tonne class £420,000 – £750,000 Mid-Range All-Terrain Crane
Heavy all-terrain mobile crane, 130 tonne class and above £750,000 – £1,500,000 Heavy All-Terrain Crane

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Tax benefits

A mobile crane is plant and machinery for tax purposes, so it qualifies for the Annual Investment Allowance, letting a business deduct the full cost from taxable profits in the year of purchase, up to the current £1,000,000 limit, where bought under Hire Purchase. Under a Finance Lease or Operating Lease you do not own the crane outright, so allowances are not claimed directly; instead the rental payments are generally deducted as a business expense against profits.

Market context

Mobile cranes are bought mainly by crane hire specialists and larger contractors who need lifting capacity across multiple sites, since a self-propelled, road-legal crane can be driven or transported between jobs far more quickly than a machine that has to be erected in place. Finance is common because a mobile crane represents a large single capital cost that keeps earning across many short-duration lifts rather than one project, so spreading the cost matches how the asset itself generates revenue. Replacement is driven mainly by rising hours and hydraulic wear, changing certification and thorough examination requirements, and the reach or capacity needed for newer contracts, rather than a fixed age. A mobile crane sits at the fully moveable end of the lifting spectrum, unlike a tower crane erected and dismantled on a single site or a passenger lift permanently installed in a building, and that self-propelled flexibility supports a genuinely deep and active UK and European used market.

Bad credit?

Several of our 200+ lenders specialise in businesses with imperfect credit histories. You may need a larger deposit or personal guarantee, but options exist. Checking your options here does not affect your credit score, because we do not run a credit search to match you. A lender will run their own checks only if you decide to apply.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I finance a used mobile crane?
Yes, and the used market for all-terrain mobile cranes is well established across the UK and Europe. Lenders will want a full thorough examination and inspection history, current hours, and confirmation the crane meets current safety and emissions standards before agreeing terms. Because resale values depend heavily on documented condition, expect the valuation process to take a little longer than for a straightforward smaller plant item.
What term suits a mobile crane?
Most businesses spread the cost over five to seven years, reflecting both the crane's working life and typical contract cycles. A well-maintained all-terrain crane holds its value strongly relative to its purchase price, which supports longer terms than many other plant categories, though the exact term a lender offers will depend on your trading history and how the crane will be used.
How does a mobile crane differ from a tower crane for finance purposes?
A mobile crane is self-propelled and road-legal, so it moves between sites under its own power or on a low-loader and is reassessed by a lender much like other heavy plant. A tower crane, by contrast, is erected and dismantled on a single site and cannot simply be driven away, which changes how a lender views its liquidity and resale process. Both are financeable, but a mobile crane's flexibility generally supports a broader range of lenders and slightly easier resale.
Do I need a deposit for mobile crane finance?
Hire purchase typically asks for 15–20% down, though this can flex based on trading history and the crane's projected resale value. Finance lease and operating lease agreements often need no deposit at all, since the funder retains ownership throughout the term. Given the size of a typical mobile crane deal, even a modest change in deposit can noticeably affect the monthly cost.
What happens at the end of a mobile crane finance agreement?
Under hire purchase, the crane is yours once the final payment clears. Under a finance lease you typically have the option to make a final payment to take ownership, continue renting at a reduced rate, or hand the crane back and let the funder manage its resale. Under an operating lease you simply return the crane, which suits businesses wanting to refresh capacity as contract requirements change.

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